In order to provide high-quality learning opportunities, the mission of Academic Consulting is to support students in achieving their academic, career,
and personal goals through building an effective working relationship between student and consultant.

Effective Academic Consulting Relationship

An effective academic consulting working relationship provides a holistic approach:

Guiding students to relevant resources to foster their success;

Collaborating with others who have complementary expertise;

Designing an educational, engagement, and academic success plan based on the students' values, attributes, learning styles, and academic/career/goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is academic consulting?

Academic consulting is an intentional educational process through which a student grows to understand the meaning and purpose of higher education,
develops and uses strategies for his or her academic success, and cultivates an intellectual and personal appreciation of lifelong learning. Through the
working relationship the student builds with the academic consultant, the two create an educational plan aligned with the student's personal potential,
interests, and goals.

*Remember: helpful suggestions from friends do NOT replace assistance from a qualified faculty academic consultant or counselor.

What is a faculty academic consultant?

Academic consulting is more than selecting courses for the upcoming quarter. At SFCC, we believe the relationship between you and your
faculty academic consultant is essential for your success. Your faculty academic consultant is your primary point of contact on campus and is familiar with the college's policies and
procedures, and can either answer your questions or direct you to one of many campus resources. You should maintain contact with your faculty academic consultant to discuss
situations and issues affecting your academic performance.

How do I find out who is my faculty academic consultant or counselor?

Login to ctcLink to find out your faculty academic consultant and current program/area of study.

When should I see my faculty academic consultant?

Schedule an appointment with your faculty academic consultant when you:

Want to create your academic plan, and develop your schedule for the next quarter

Have questions about degrees, certificates, areas of study and the registration process

Have questions about your program of study/major

Are experiencing academic difficulties

Need information about on-campus resources (e.g. tutoring)

You want to celebrate or share good news about your academic success!

How do I prepare for my academic consulting session(s)?

Schedule an appointment, in advance to ensure that you and your faculty consultant have adequate time to discuss and explore your options

Familiarize yourself with the various online resources available to you (e.g. online education planner; degree audit; degree worksheets or
career planning guides; myBigfoot portal, including Online Catalog, Class Schedule, Plan My Schedule. See the
Resources tab for links.)

Tutoring/Mentoring

GLOSSARY OF ADVISING TERMS & ACRONYMS

Academic advising/consulting: Academic advising refers to an action, the moment in the
advisement process when adviser and student are working together to achieve the student's goals. Advisement
is the noun which describes a holistic process while advising is a verb used for the interaction.

Academic consultant (FAC): A faculty member, who works with students on their educational
plans and course selection. You will need to meet with your FAC prior to registration.

Counselor: Someone who works with students on their academic progress, course selection, career and major options,
and navigating academic processes.

Degree Audit (official and unofficial): The process of tracking and examining academic records to determine degree and certificate completion.

Elective: A course that does not meet any specific program and/or area of study requirement; unless, it is a
specified “elective” for an academic program and/or area of study.

FAM: Financial Aid portal

FERPA: A Federal law applying to educational agencies and institutions that receive funding under a program
administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Full-time (FT): Enrollment in 12 or more credit hours per quarter.

My Math Test (MMT):Placement instrument for Math.

myBIGFoot: The student communication portal.

New Student Orientation (NSO): An introduction to college life for incoming students. NSO presentations include
content about technology, college knowledge, financial aid, individualized educational planning and first quarter registration.

Part-time (PT): Enrollment in fewer than 12 credit hours per quarter.

Placement testing: Tests administered to determine the most appropriate placement in English and Reading (COMPASS) and Math (MMT).

Prerequisite: A required course/courses taken before another course.

Ultimatum Quarter: The duration of instruction for an academic term, which is typically 11 weeks (including one week of final exams).

Registration: The process of enrolling in classes, which is also a function of academic advisement.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid (also referred to as SAP):Academic requirements based on Federal Financial Aid
regulations. SAP variables include: grade point average (GPA), credits completed, academic status (e.g., FT or PT), and some required courses.
Specific questions should be directed to the Financial Aid Office, because each [student's] situation differs.

Syllabus:A handout from instructors that includes but is not limited to: instructor's name and contact information; the purpose
of the course; prerequisites, if applicable; textbooks; course calendar/outline of events; assignments; grading policy and other pertinent
information about the course.

Transcript (official and unofficial): A list of courses, grades and credits.